Originally the car had idiot lights. I converted the steering column to a tilt and got rid of the idiot lights and went to a console. I've ordered all the correct wiring from Rick's and the restorer wired the console. Everything works except the temperature gauge. The temperature stays to the left of cold. So far I've changed 2 console temperature sending units, and installed 2 console gauges from Rick's. The problem is that when I turn the ignition on, the gauge moves LEFT of Cold and remains there. When I ground the green wire at the sending unit, it pegs the temp needle to Hot. There are 3 ground straps and also a body-to-gauge ground wire...it did nothing. Everything stays the same (left of Cold.) I also put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator and ran the motor, but the needle only moved a tiny fraction toward Cold....nothing more. I'm pulling my hair out....PLEASE HELP!!!! Thanks, Casey

If one wire to the sending unit and grounding the green wire pegs the meter to hot, measure the resistance of the sending unit body to the block/head and back to the gauge return terminal, should be less than a couple of ohms.

Sending unit should decrease in ohm value as it heats up, from terminal to body.

Have a variable resistor, 0-5K or 0-1K? Substitute the sending unit to see if gauge works correctly.

Did you use teflon tape on the sender, and are you sure the sender is a temperature sender and not the temperature switch that came with the idiot light.

Mark, We used teflon tape on the sender and I bought 2 sending units from Rick's Camaro. Thanks, Casey

Teflon tape can interupt the ground circuit. Try removing the tape and putting just a small amount of thread sealer on the top of the threads; leave the end of the threads clean to make a good ground.
That was my problem when I did the same install.

joe

Test the sender that is out of the block by testing resistance and then heating it up. If idiot light temp switch it will have almost zero resistance when hot. If gauge unit it will be the reverse.

Jeff

I will try this week to take the teflon tape off this week and see if this works. I have check all ground straps.I will post later if this works. Thanks you all.

Casey, you DID replace your idiot light temp sensor with the one used for a gauge, right? they are different.

You should have took this one out:
Camaro Coolant Temperature Sending Unit, For Cars With Warning Lights, 1967-1969

Technically correct for appearance and connection type (pin) for 69 without factory console gauge option.


Item# CG-22


$18.99 ea.



And put this one in:
Camaro Coolant Temperature Sending Unit, Threaded Stud Connector, For Cars With Gauges, 1969

Technically correct for appearance and connection type (threaded) for 69 with factory console gauge option.


Item# CG-29


$27.99 ea.